Frank Jacobs
Encyclopedia
Frank Jacobs is an American author of satires, known primarily for his work in Mad
, to which he has contributed since 1957. Jacobs has written a wide variety of lampoons and spoof, but he is best known as a versifier who contributes parodies of famous song lyrics and poems. In 2009, Jacobs told a Burbank
newspaper, "I’m the least-known writer of hysterical light verse in the United States."
Jacobs appeared in the sixth chapter of PBS' comedy documentary, Make 'em Laugh: The Funny Business of America singing "Blue Cross," his own 1961 parody of Irving Berlin
's "Blue Skies
". That lyric was one of 25 which comprised Irving Berlin et al. v. E.C. Publications, Inc.
, a precedent-setting case that was appealed to the Supreme Court
and helped to define the boundaries of parody in American law.
among Mad writers who do not also illustrate their own work. Jacobs has over 575 credits for the magazine, more than any other writer or artist. At his peak, Jacobs was writing a fifth of the magazine's content. "My top year, I sold 60 pages... so you get an idea of the roll I was on," Jacobs told an interviewer. 165 separate issues of Mad include multiple articles written by Jacobs.
Jacobs established numerous recurring features in Mad, including fabricated obituaries for fictional characters from various genres and the "Do-It-Yourself Newspaper Stories" which offer a series of fill-in-the-blank options.
One of Jacobs' non-Mad-related projects was 1965's Alvin Steadfast on Vernacular Island, a gentle spoof of post-Victorian boys' books. The titular hero is a ten-year-old boy, who joins an adult explorer on Vernacular Island, a place populated by bizarre and wonderful creatures such as the Standing Ovation, the Ill Omen, the Glowing Report and the Ugly Rumor. The two humans go in search of the Doubt, and as their adventure takes them into the jungle, even more fabulous creatures are encountered. The original Dial Press
edition was illustrated by Edward Gorey
, in a non-characteristic whimsical style unlike his usual gleefully dark drawings. Jacobs' writing is only lightly cynical, with more of an emphasis on wordplay, puns and gentle humor.
At the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con, Jacobs was a co-recipient of the Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comic Book Writing.
Mad (magazine)
Mad is an American humor magazine founded by editor Harvey Kurtzman and publisher William Gaines in 1952. Launched as a comic book before it became a magazine, it was widely imitated and influential, impacting not only satirical media but the entire cultural landscape of the 20th century.The last...
, to which he has contributed since 1957. Jacobs has written a wide variety of lampoons and spoof, but he is best known as a versifier who contributes parodies of famous song lyrics and poems. In 2009, Jacobs told a Burbank
Burbank, California
Burbank is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States, north of downtown Los Angeles. The estimated population in 2010 was 103,340....
newspaper, "I’m the least-known writer of hysterical light verse in the United States."
Jacobs appeared in the sixth chapter of PBS' comedy documentary, Make 'em Laugh: The Funny Business of America singing "Blue Cross," his own 1961 parody of Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin was an American composer and lyricist of Jewish heritage, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history.His first hit song, "Alexander's Ragtime Band", became world famous...
's "Blue Skies
Blue Skies (song)
-History:The song was composed in 1926 as a last minute addition to the Rodgers and Hart musical, Betsy. Although the show only ran for 39 performances, "Blue Skies" was an instant success, with audiences on opening night demanding 24 encores of the piece from star, Belle Baker. During the final...
". That lyric was one of 25 which comprised Irving Berlin et al. v. E.C. Publications, Inc.
Irving Berlin et al. v. E.C. Publications, Inc.
Irving Berlin et al. v. E.C. Publications, Inc., 329 F.2d 541 , was an important United States copyright law decided by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1964....
, a precedent-setting case that was appealed to the Supreme Court
Supreme court
A supreme court is the highest court within the hierarchy of many legal jurisdictions. Other descriptions for such courts include court of last resort, instance court, judgment court, high court, or apex court...
and helped to define the boundaries of parody in American law.
Mad contributions
Jacobs' first submission to the magazine, "Why I Left the Army and Became a Civilian," resulted in an immediate sale and a request for more material. It was one of five Jacobs pieces to appear in issue #33 (June 1957), marking a prodigious debut for the Mad contributor. His byline has since appeared in more than 300 issues of the magazine, second only to Dick DeBartoloDick DeBartolo
Dick DeBartolo is an American writer. He has most notably written for Mad. He is occasionally referred to as "Mads Maddest Writer," this being a twist on Don Martin's former status as "Mads Maddest Artist." DeBartolo served as the magazine's "Creative Consultant" from 1984 to 2009.Mad has long...
among Mad writers who do not also illustrate their own work. Jacobs has over 575 credits for the magazine, more than any other writer or artist. At his peak, Jacobs was writing a fifth of the magazine's content. "My top year, I sold 60 pages... so you get an idea of the roll I was on," Jacobs told an interviewer. 165 separate issues of Mad include multiple articles written by Jacobs.
Jacobs established numerous recurring features in Mad, including fabricated obituaries for fictional characters from various genres and the "Do-It-Yourself Newspaper Stories" which offer a series of fill-in-the-blank options.
Books
Jacobs wrote 13 paperback books under the Mad imprint, including Mad for Better or Verse, a collection of poetry parodies, as well as the best-selling biography The Mad World of William M. Gaines.One of Jacobs' non-Mad-related projects was 1965's Alvin Steadfast on Vernacular Island, a gentle spoof of post-Victorian boys' books. The titular hero is a ten-year-old boy, who joins an adult explorer on Vernacular Island, a place populated by bizarre and wonderful creatures such as the Standing Ovation, the Ill Omen, the Glowing Report and the Ugly Rumor. The two humans go in search of the Doubt, and as their adventure takes them into the jungle, even more fabulous creatures are encountered. The original Dial Press
Dial Press
The Dial Press was a publishing house founded in 1923 by Lincoln MacVeagh.Dial Press shared a building with The Dial and Scofield Thayer worked with both. The first imprint was issued in 1924. Authors included Elizabeth Bowen, W.R...
edition was illustrated by Edward Gorey
Edward Gorey
Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:...
, in a non-characteristic whimsical style unlike his usual gleefully dark drawings. Jacobs' writing is only lightly cynical, with more of an emphasis on wordplay, puns and gentle humor.
At the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con, Jacobs was a co-recipient of the Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comic Book Writing.